Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2013, 11:5
doi:10.1186/1477-7525-11-5

Published: 11 January 2013

Abstract

Background

Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a health problem, which has negative effects on the
patient's quality of life and significantly affects the patients’ daily activities,
social and business life. The aim of this study is to evaluate temperament and character
properties of patients diagnosed with primary focal hyperhidrosis.

Methods

Fifty-six primary focal hyperhidrosis (22.42 ± 7.80) and 49 control subjects (24.48 ± 5.17)
participated in the study. Patients who met the diagnostic criteria for PFH were referred
to psychiatry clinic where the subjects were evaluated through Structured Clinical
Interview for DSM Disorders-I and Temperament and Character Inventory.

Results

In order to examine the difference between the PFH and control group in terms of temperament
and character properties, one-way Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was conducted.
In terms of temperament properties, PFH group took significantly higher scores than
control group in Fatigability and asthenia dimension. In terms of character properties,
PFH group scored significantly lower than control group in Purposefulness , Resourcefulness
, Self-Directedness and scored significantly higher than control group in Self-forgetfulness
and Self-Transcendence.

Conclusion

Temperament and character features of PFH patients were different from healthy group
and it was considered that these features were affected by many factors including
genetic, biological, environmental, socio-cultural elements. During the follow-up
of PFH cases, psychiatric evaluation is important and interventions, especially psychotherapeutic
interventions can increase the chances of success of the dermatological treatments
and can have a positive impact on the quality of life and social cohesion of chronic
cases.